Means for spreading and distributing ballast



w. E. RAHMETR.

MEANS FOR SPREADING AND DISTRIBUTING BALLAST.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5 Patented Nov. 11,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

I 844 50: W. E Rahmev W. E. RAHMER.

MEANS FOR SPREADING AND msmmume BALLAST. APPLICATION FILED MAY 6. 1919.

, Patented Nov. 11, 1919.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

.3 WI Rahmer WILLIAM EDWARD RAHMER, 0F GARRETT,

INDIANA.

MEANS FOR SPREADING AND DISTRIBUTING BALLAST.

Application filed May 6, 1919.

T0 aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lVILLIAM E. RAHMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Garrett, in the county of Dekal-b-and State of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Means for Spreading and Distributing Ballast, of which the followmg is a specification.

This invention comprehends the provision of a device for spreading and distributing the ballast over the roadbedbetween and on opposite sides of the rails of a track.

In carrying out the invention I provide a device for the above purpose, designed to fit over the rails of the track for sliding movement thereon, the device including among other features a plate terminating close to the road'bed so as to spread and distribute the ballast, when the device is being used.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a device of this kind, which can be readily and easily associated with the end of a freight car or other rolling stock utilized for -1noving the device along the track.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understood when the following detailed description is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, the invention residing in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, the like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, and wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of the roadbed, a car being shown in end elevation, and v the device associated therewith showing the manner of using the same.

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the ballast removed from a part of the roadbed, showing more clearly the manner of associating the device with the car and the rails of the track.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View taken through the device as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. at is a sectional view taken on lines H of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the track engaging member in its entirety.

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of the same.

The device constructed in accordance with my invention essentially embodies an elongated rectangular plate 10 constructed from metal or other suitable material, and adapt- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 11, 1919. SerialNo. 295,053.

ed to be arranged edgewise across the rails A of the track. The plate 10 can be made of any suitable dimension, but it is preferably of a length to extend beyond both rails A a suilicient distance to terminate beyond the ends of the ties B. The lower longitudinal edge of the plate 10 is provided at proper points in the length of the plate, with rail receiving notches 11 which permit the plate to be loweredbetween and on both sides of the rails to a position in close proximity to the roadbed, for the purpose to be presently set forth. It is to be understood that the plate 10 is adapted to be moved along the track for the purposeof spreading and dis tributing the ballast between the rails and on the opposite sides thereof. The notches 11 are small at the top to nicely accommodate the heads of the rails, but are relatively wide at the bottom to facilitate theassociation of the device with the rails of the track or its removal therefrom as the occasion may require. The notches 11 further prevent any lateral displacement of the device with respect to the roadbed while the device is being used.

Any suit-able means may be employed for connecting the plate 10 with the end of a freight car or other rolling stock indicated at C, the latter being utilized for moving the plate along the track for the purpose mentioned. However, as shown 111 this specific instance, the plate 10 is riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the track engaging element 12 which may be an ordinary wooden log of a lengthequal to the length of the plate 10 in order to bridge the space between the rails B and rest thereon. Metallic wear plates 13 are suitably secured to the underside or bottom of the element 12 and are interposed between the latter and the rails of the track. The plates 13 are each provided with an angularly disposed portion 14: which is vertically disposed at the rear of the element 12 projecting an appreciable distance above the top thereof. Both the bottom and rear side of the element 12 is recessed as at 15 to receive the shoes 13 whereby the latter lie flush with the adj acent surfaces of the element 12. The upright portions 14 of the shoes are disposed immediately in advance of the wheels of the car 0 and are adapted to be engaged thereby so that when the car is put in motion the wheels will revolve against the shoes and slide the device in its entirety along the track. The shoesare grooved to receive the flanges of the wheel, and in which grooves the wheels. rotate; Arranged in superimposed relation upon the elementlQ is the desired number of logs or beams 17 to place the Weight of the car upon the element 12, a number of wedges 18 being driven between the. uppermost log 17 and the adjacent part of the car C to hold the component parts of the device fixed relatively with respect to each-other and thecar C. a y

element'12 and shoes 18 is associated with the rails of the track as a unit in the manner above described, all of said parts being securely fastened together. Subsequent to the positioning ofthese parts upon the rails of the; track the logs or timbers 17 are arranged one by one 111 superimposed relation upon ithel element 12 until a wallet the proper height is built; The wedges 18 are then effectively driven between the ngpermost log to give the and suitable parts of the car W all'thus built the'proper strength and rigidity so as-to be conveniently moved along thetraek by means of the ear Cu ,1 he con- 'stl'llctlon 15 such that the component parts of the device may be quickly and easily assembled or disassembled as the occasion may require.

W'hile I have shown'tand described the preferred embodiment of the invention, I desire to have'it understood that the same merely illustrative and that I do not limit myself to the exact construction and argrangement of parts disclosed, as such changes may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

' 1. A device for spreading and distributing the'ballasts over the bed of a railroad, in-

eluding a member adapted-toextend across copies iofthis patent'T-nia y be obtained for the rails of the track and having portions disposed below the heads of the rails at both sides thereof, a plurality of beams arranged in superposed relation and defining with said member a wall adapted to support the weight of one end from the car and wedges driven between the uppermost beam in the adjacent part of the car for holding the said beam and wall fixed relatively with respect to the end of the car whereby the wall is moved over the track with said car.

2. A device of the class described comprising a member adapted to extend across the rails of a track and having rail receiving notches whereby said member extends below the heads of the rails at both sides thereof,

v means for holding said member fixed relatively with respect to the car, whereby the member is moved along the track with the car, shoes secured to said member and including vertically disposed portions arranged in advance of the wheels of the car,

and said vertically disposed portions having grooves in which the wheels rotate.

3. A device for spreading and distributing ballasts over the bed of a railroad, including a member adapted to extend across the rails of the track and having portions disposed below the heads of the rails at both sides thereof, a plurality of beams arranged in superimposed relation and defining with said member a wall adapted to support the weight of one end of the car, wedges driven between the uppermost beam and the adjacent part of the car for holding the wall fiXed relatively with respect to the car whereby the wall is moved over the track with the car, metallic shoes secured to the bottom of said wall for engagement with said rails, and said shoes including vertically disposed portions having grooves in which the wheels of the car rotate.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

WILLIAM EDWARD RAHMER.

five cents each, by addressing the fCommissioner of Patents. Washington, I). Q. 

